ABSTRACT

The research is on the level of acceptability of turmeric as essential ingredient in meal preparation for households in Umudike, Abia state, Nigeria. The specific objectives ofthe study include: to prepare turmeric powder from turmeric rhizome, and to determine the acceptability level of indigenous meals prepared with turmeric. The research sought to provide answers to the following research questions: what are the methods of preparing turmeric powder from turmeric rhizome and what is the acceptability level ofmeals prepared with turmeric. Turmeric rhizomes were washed with tap water and divided into two batches of2kg each. One batch was processed raw and the other batch was cooked, the first batch (processed raw) was crushed and sun-dried for 5 days, while the second batch was cooked (poured into boiling water and was allowed to boil) for 30 minutes, the water drained off, crushed and sun-dried for 5 days. The raw and cooked sun-dried turmeric were then ground using a hammer mill to produce raw and cooked sun-dried turmeric rhizome meals. Sensory evaluation was administrated with twentysix (26) household panelist selected. During the study two turmeric processing methods are documented; first is the curing/boiling ofturmeric rhizomes in a pot and the second is without boiling, by cutting the rhizomes into pieces before drying in sun. Also, the quality characteristics of indigenous meals prepared with turmeric with respect to colour, aroma, and taste were rated “very good” which got an overall mean of 8.31 which implies that turmeric would have the potential ofbeing selected as one ofessential ingredients for meals preparation for households in the locality. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that; households should consume turmeric which contains protein, minerals, carbohydrates, fibre, moisture, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, essential oil and vitamins on a daily basis, as well as encouragement and motivation of farmers by Government and Non Governmental Organisations to cultivate turmeric.